Let’s Act for a Mediterranean Citizenship

A youth exchange project aimed to enhance the culture of dialogue between Italian and Lebanese youth

Under the patronage of his Excellency Minister of Youth and Sports, Faysal Karami, Makhzoumi Foundation held a closing ceremony for the youth exchange project “Let’s Act for a Mediterranean Citizenship” implemented in cooperation with the Italian NGO Armadilla. The Project was managed by the Youth and Sports Ministry and funded by the European Union in the framework of the Euromed Youth Program. The project aimed to enhance the culture of dialogue between Italian and Lebanese youth, hence encouraging shared Mediterranean citizenship. Twelve Italian young men and ladies met with sixteen of their Lebanese counterparts in Lebanon between October 18 and 23.

During this ceremony that was held on the 23rd of October in Holiday-Inn Hotel (Dunes), Mrs. Makhzoumi, president of Makhzoumi Foundation pointed out to the similarities between the Italian and Lebanese people and highlighted the shared history between the two countries.

Mrs. Di Vico, regional coordinator of Armadilla highlighted the importance of the good relationships between people able to reduce any tension or prevent any conflict, and enhance peace and stability, locally, regionally and globally.

His Excellency the Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Morabito said that this meeting is particularly meaningful for the Italian youth, as the Lebanese, have been living with an acute feeling of insecurity due to the economic crisis Italy is undergoing. And he added: “we Italians can face this feeling learning from our Lebanese friends, who are used to travel and move without any problem in our globalized world”.

Minister Karami expressed his appreciation for the “good efforts” deployed by Makhzoumi Foundation in human, national and cultural development in all fields. He also praised Armadilla and thanked the Italian ambassador for his continuous emphasis, on the shared values between the Italians and the Lebanese. He addressed the youth saying “what ties you together is as deep as this wide blue sea surrounded by civilizations sharing countless values and ideas”.

The Founder of Makhzoumi Foundation, Engineer Makhzoumi, stressed in his speech that this occasion is an opportunity for all the Lebanese and friends of Lebanon to know that there is a chance to rebuild Lebanon and to work towards democracy and find a way in order to build a better future.

Then, all the participants presented songs in Arabic and Italian while two young ladies made speeches followed by the distribution of certificates to all.